Japan's nuclear crisis will be overcome: IAEA chief

Yukiya Amano (C), Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), arrives at the headquarters of IAEA for a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, capital of Austria, March 21, 2011, during which Yukiya Amano reports on his three-day visit in Japan since March 17. (Xinhua/Xu Liang)

VIENNA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Monday that he is confident that the current nuclear crisis in Japan will be overcome.

"I have no doubt that this crisis will be effectively overcome. Nature can be cruel. but human beings are brave, resourceful and resilient, "Amano told a special meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors.

He stressed that nuclear power will remain an important and viable option for many countries as a stable and clean source of energy.

He also pointed out that crisis has still not been resolved and the situation at the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant remains very serious. In addition, high levels of contamination have been measured in the locality of the plant.

However, there are also some positive developments, and emergency teams at the site have never lost hope and have not given up, Amano said

"At this stage, the priority remains stabilizing the nuclear reactors and restoring safety," said he.

Amano also told the 35-nations board that additional IAEA staff will fly out from Vienna shortly to strengthen the monitoring team already in Japan.